7. When the angel who had spoken to him departed, Cornelius called two of his personal servants and a devout soldier from among those who served him,
8. and when he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
9. About noon the next day, while they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
10. He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing the meal, a trance came over him.
11. He saw heaven opened and an object something like a large sheet descending, being let down to earth by its four corners.
12. In it were all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth and wild birds.
13. Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; slaughter and eat!”
14. But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord, for I have never eaten anything defiled and ritually unclean!”
15. The voice spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not consider ritually unclean!”
16. This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into heaven.
17. Now while Peter was puzzling over what the vision he had seen could signify, the men sent by Cornelius had learned where Simon’s house was and approached the gate.
18. They called out to ask if Simon, known as Peter, was staying there as a guest.
19. While Peter was still thinking seriously about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look! Three men are looking for you.
20. But get up, go down, and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”